Match plate for line-up and register tables



Nov. 6, 1956 G. H. CHARNOCK, JR

MATCH PLATE FOR LINE-UP AND REGISTER TABLES Filed Dec. 29, 1954 Inventor Attorney United States Patent MATCH PLATE FOR LINE-UP AND REGISTER TABLES George H. Chamock, Jr., Newton Center, Mas's., assignor to Craftsman Line-Up Table Corporation, Waltham, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application December 29, 1954, Serial No. 478,417

6 Claims. (31. 33-1845) This invention relates to line-up and register tables of the class employed in layout work as required in the graphic arts industry and, more particularly, the invention relates to an improved match plate and straight edge apparatus for use in locating a straight edge member in desired positions of adjustment'relative to a layout sheet. i I

As is well known to those skilled in the preparation of layout sheets, it is customary to employ line-up and register tables having an adjustable straight edge which is normally adjusted to register with desired scale readings on a side scale fixed along one side of the table. In the ordinary course of operation, a considerable number of settings may be required, each of which involves a fractional calculation referenced to a spacing of the straight edge from a desired starting point. Such a starting point, for example, may be determined by an allowance or width on the layout sheet which takes care of plate bend, i. e., that portion of a plate used up in clamping the plate on a printing press roll. Making allowance for plate bend involves a series-of separate calculations based on the fractional dimension of the plate bend and, as a result, the likelihood of errors may increase in such a case.

It is an object of the present invention to deal with the problem indicated and to devise an improved match plate for use with a straight edge of the general class described. A further object is to provide specifically a match plate arrangement which will eliminate the need for separately adding the plate bend allowance to each new layout dimension which must be indicated.

These and other objects and novel features will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a line-up table showing portions of a side scale at one side of the table and a straight edge, including the match plate of the invention, located in one position of adjustment with respect to the side scale;

Fig. 2 is a detailed perspective view further illustrating the match plate construction of the invention; and

Fig. 3 is a detailed view, partly in cross-section.

Referring more in detail to the drawings and, especially, to Fig. l, numeral 2 denotes a commonly employed type of straight edge which is slidably adjustable along two sides of a line-up table, one side of which is shown at 4 at the right-hand side of Fig. 1. It is also customary to employ with the straight edge 2 the usual stops 3 and scale 5, together with a cam mechanism 6 for raising and lowering the straight edge as desired. Also, a Vernier dial apparatus 8 and dial match ring 8a of usual character are utilized. As these elements are well known in the art, no detailed description is thought to be necessary here, other than to point out that, in earlier types of tables, match plates have been provided and mounted in bracket 12 which maybe secured in any desired position of vertical adjustment by means of an adjustment screw 14 which passes through a slot 12a (Fig. 2) in the bracket 12. a

In accordance with the present invention, I utilize the same channeled block and match plate supporting bracket described but I construct the supporting bracket at the lower end thereof with an extension piece 16 through which is formed an opening for receiving a match plate locking screw 18. The lower end of the locking screw is threaded into a nut 21 and cooperates with this nut 21 and the extension 16 to support an elongated match plate. slide 20. Formed centrally of the slide is a channel 22 defined by undercut edges 24b which provide bearing surfaces for slidably receiving the nut 21 so that, when the locking screw 18 is loosened, then the slide member 20 may be moved into any desired horizontal position of adjustment.

Fixed at one end of the slide 20 is a match plate element 24, preferably formed of a translucent material, such as plastic, glass and the like, and having inscribed thereon an indicator line 24a adapted to overlie and register with scale markings on the scale 5. It will be observed that the indicator line 24a is located along an intermediate position of the match plate element so that there is provided a substantial blank area between the indicator line and the rearmost edge of the plate.

In operation, a layout sheet i placed on the table and in the normal course of events will require a series of settings of the straight edge, each of which settings involves calculation of fractional dimensions including an allowance for plate bend. The match plate of the invention is used in the following manner. Straight edge 2 is moved into a position of abutment with the stops 3 and the dial 8 is set to zero with line 8b on dial match ring 8a. The straight edge 2 is then moved away from the stops sufiiciently to permit locking the layout sheet against the sheet stops. The dial mechanism 8 is then employed to position the straight edge so that it assumes a plate bend location, that is, the edge of the straight edge is spaced away a distance corresponding to the plate bend allowance.

At this point, the match plate lock screw 18 is loosened and the match plate element 24 is moved into a position to set the indicator line 24a in register With the zero marking on the side scale 5. The lock screw 18 is then tightened. The next operation is to reset the dial 8 to zero and lock the dial mechanism by a dial lock screw 9. The straight edge is now in a position to move into each of the required layout positions using the actual dimensions which may be specified on the layout sheet and the need for adding plate bend allowances is thus eliminated.

It will thus be seen that, by the provision of the structure described, a sub-zero match plate assembly is provided and the need for all calculations normally required in taking into account plate bend allowances are avoided. Thus, the likelihood of error is greatly minimized. It will also be observed that the match plate adjustment of the invention may be conveniently adapted to existing straight edge blocks with little need for change. Similarly, I may use the sub-zero match plate assembly for various other dimensioning operations on tables of this type.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that changes and modifications in the structure described may be resorted to in keeping with the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An improved match plate construction for use with a straight edge comprising a supporting bracket, means for adjustably securing the bracket to the straight edge, a match plate slide, means for locking the slide in a fixed position on the bracket and a match plate element supported at one end of said slide and having an indicator line thereon.

2. A structure according to claim 1, in which the said indicator line occurs intermediate the front and rear edges of the match plate element.

3. A structure according to claim 1, in which the slide is formed with a slot therein and the means for locking the slide includes an elongated screw extending through the slot and a nut member in threaded engagement with the screw and being slidably received at the underside of the slide.

4. In a combination, a line-up table having a scale mounted thereon, a straight edge, means for positioning the straight edge relative to the scale, stop members arranged on the table to receive the straight edge in abutting relation therewith and a match plate assembly cooperating with the straight edge positioning means and stop members to set the straight edge in a position to include a plate bend allowance on the said scale.

5. A structure according to claim 4 in which the match plate assembly includes an elongated slotted slide, a match plate element supported on the slide and a match plate locking screw detachably secured through the slotted portion of said slide.

6. A structure as-defined in claim 4 in which the straight edge includes a channelled block and a vertically disposed supporting bracket mounted in said channelled block and formed at its lower end with a horizontally extending extension piece, and said match plate assembly including a slotted match plate slide having a match plate element fixed thereto, a locking screw mounted vertically through the said-horizontally extending extension piece and slide end means for adjustably securing the slide against the locking screw.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,872,860 Winter Aug. 23, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 274,880 Switzerland Nov. 1, 1951 

